Massachusetts: Ivory Legislation to be Heard in Committee Next Week

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Support NRA-ILA

Please contact members of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary and urge them to oppose H. 1275!

The Joint Committee on the Judiciary will tentatively hold a hearing on Wednesday, October 21, at 1:00 p.m. in Room A-2 to discuss House Bill 1275, which aims to ban the intrastate trade in legal ivory and ivory products. Similar legislation, Senate Bill 440, has not been scheduled for a hearing yet.

As previously reported, H. 1275, sponsored by Representative Lori Ehrlich (D-Marblehead), is a misguided bill that would prohibit the importation, sale, offer for sale, purchase, barter or possession with intent to sell legal ivory or ivory product in Massachusetts, with very limited exceptions. This bill is based on the entirely false premise that it will reduce the poaching of elephants in Africa and help end the illegal ivory trade. In truth, banning trade in legal ivory would only have a negative impact on those who possess lawfully acquired ivory in Massachusetts.

The NRA applauds serious efforts to stop poaching and the illegal ivory trade, but this proposal will not contribute to that goal. H.1275 would, however, negatively impact those who have no part in these illegal activities. American collectors, sportsmen, hunters, and recreational shooters have legally purchased firearms that incorporate ivory features for decades. These include some of America’s most historically significant and collectible guns. Ivory is also commonly integrated in accessories used by hunters and fishermen, such as knife handles, and handles for gun cleaning equipment and tools.

Additionally, this bill wouldn’t allow antique dealers and collectors to buy or sell other legal, antique ivory and ivory products such as musical instruments, jewelry and furniture pieces. For example, a person selling an ivory product, such as an antique piano with ivory keys, could unknowingly become a felon overnight.

Historically, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has maintained the position that most ivory in the U.S. has been legally imported and that its sale in the U.S. has not materially contributed to the illegal ivory trade. Despite this fact, these measures focus on the taking of property that was acquired legally and in good faith. Property that cannot be sold is radically diminished in value.

While the NRA stands in opposition to the illegal ivory trade and poaching, banning the trade and sale of legally owned, pre-ban ivory will not save one elephant (much less mammoth ivory which is covered in the bills, even though mammoths have long been extinct).

We urge you to attend this committee hearing to voice your opposition against this bill. If you cannot attend the meeting, please contact members of the Judiciary Committee and inform them of your opposition against this bill.

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Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.